Directing guttering into multiple water butts

[redchris1969]

Hi

Apologies if this is posted on the wrong channel. Apologies also if this seems very basic – I am a DIY newcomer.

I’ve a question about getting water from my guttering into more than one water butt. I’ve attached a diagram which might help with the explanation.

I have a garage with a sloped roof and this has guttering which flows into the water butt labelled “Water Butt One” in the diagram.

At the moment the piping stops at the point marked X. I want to extend it so it goes into a second water butt, as shown in the diagram. I’m thinking I need a tap/value at the ‘X’ so I can direct the water in the second water butt once the first is full.

First question – is it possible to buy a tap/valve along these lines. I’ve had a quick search online, but couldn’t find anything.

Second – is this best way of solving my problem? Grateful for suggestions for alternatives.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chris

 

[aveatry]

Just put an outlet from one butt to the other so when but 1 is full it overflows into but 2

 

[Rodders53]

This is one example of commercially available devices to do what you wish

Water Butt Linking Kit

KIT INCLUDES: 1 x 500mm Connector Hose, 2 x 20mm Connectors, 2 x Washers, 2 x Nuts

www.garlandproducts.com

That system diverts the downpipe flow and when the butts are full passes water into the remaining downpipe / soakaway system rather than just overflowing from the butt onto the nearby ground.

 

[scbk]

Have you thought about putting in a tank instead? I've got an approx 1200l slimline tank that takes up not much more room than 2 water butts would down the side of a shed

 

[aveatry]

Have you thought about putting in a tank instead? I've got an approx 1200l slimline tank that takes up not much more room than 2 water butts would down the side of a shed

I have been looking at getting one of those myself but they are so expensive ££

 

[scbk]

I've got various containers that are all either very cheap or free. Drums, IBCs, plastic tanks, steel tanks. You can get them second hand and clean them out.

Tanks used previously for heating oil are pretty easy to clean with a pressure washer, even better if it's a hot washer

 

[aveatry]

I've got various containers that are all either very cheap or free. Drums, IBCs, plastic tanks, steel tanks. You can get them second hand and clean them out.

Tanks used previously for heating oil are pretty easy to clean with a pressure washer, even better if it's a hot washer

I've got various containers that are all either very cheap or free. Drums, IBCs, plastic tanks, steel tanks. - Forgive m - but that sounds like a allotment
I looked at the IBCs but its the 1m depth that I find sticks out too much for my position have planned I can go higher than 1m and wider than 1m but its just the sticking out. I have a 250l water but now and looking for around 600l the ones that fit my space are ££
Also I think that to prevent algi the clear or white ones should be painted to keep the light out.

 

[scbk]

The type of plastic IBCs are made out of doesn't take paint well, I've got some black ones, and also clear ones wrapped in dpm and put back inside the cage.

You don't say whereabouts you are, but if you keep an eye on gumtree/ebay etc I'm sure you would get a second hand tank cheap/free.

I had a metal one aprox 6ft x 4ft x 2ft. It was a bit too far gone, I stood it on it's end, cut a door, and made a large metal cabinet out of it.
I've got another metal one in the polytunnel, it's fed from a gutter off a neighbouring shed, hole cut in the top to dunk the watering can in, painted black, and it acts as a bit of a heat sink.

 

[aveatry]

The type of plastic IBCs are made out of doesn't take paint well, I've got some black ones, and also clear ones wrapped in dpm and put back inside the cage.

You don't say whereabouts you are, but if you keep an eye on gumtree/ebay etc I'm sure you would get a second hand tank cheap/free.

I had a metal one aprox 6ft x 4ft x 2ft. It was a bit too far gone, I stood it on it's end, cut a door, and made a large metal cabinet out of it.
I've got another metal one in the polytunnel, it's fed from a gutter off a neighbouring shed, hole cut in the top to dunk the watering can in, painted black, and it acts as a bit of a heat sink.

I keep looking on facebook market place and eBay didnt know gumtree was still a thing - I will look but other than that nothing is coming up apart from loads of the IBC ones and some smaller 300l from mobile patio cleaners ect but not big enough for me. I may have to bite the bullet and get a new one delivered.

 

[StephenStephen]

If the buts are at the same level, If you simply connect a pipe between the buts (ideally at the bottom of them) then they will stay at the same water level as each other.

 

[StephenStephen]

You can daisychain waterbutts, if they're at the same level, and put the second, or third or more, wherever you like...

 

[redchris1969]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Lots of ideas for me to get stuck into.
Happy Xmas.

 

[Stuart981]

In my experience these diverter kits block up very quickly and dump most of the water down the drain anyway. What you could do is leave the drain pipe into tank one as per your pic and use a linking kit as suggested above. You will also need to provide an overflow to the drain from tank 1 the same size or larger than the inlet pipe. You will also occasionally need to clean the crud out of tank 1 maybe once per season.

 

[StephenStephen]

In my experience these diverter kits block up very quickly and dump most of the water down the drain anyway. What you could do is leave the drain pipe into tank one as per your pic and use a linking kit as suggested above. You will also need to provide an overflow to the drain from tank 1 the same size or larger than the inlet pipe. You will also occasionally need to clean the crud out of tank 1 maybe once per season.

...and it's a good idea to cut the lid to fit round the pipe, so that you don't get cats or birds drowning, or mosquitos thriving.

 

[JohnD]

If the buts are at the same level, If you simply connect a pipe between the buts (ideally at the bottom of them) then they will stay at the same water level as each other.

I prefer to link at the top, so all but the last will be full (until you drain them), giving a good flow to fill your watering can or hose.